Syrah with your Margaux? Ch. Palmer's at it again

WINE TALK
1

Anybody like Syrah with their Merlot?

Just got an email blast selling the the '07 (but legally NV) version of the Ch Palmer XIXth Century Blend.

I think Syrah is a great natural partner/blender for Merlot, & other Bordeaux varieties.

Most of us know they blended some Rhone Syrah into select “Hermitaged” cuvees in the early 19th century.

They also grew a bit of Syrah.

It might do better there now that it’s just a bit warmer than at the end of the Little Ice Age . . . but, oh yeah, they’re French. neener Not happening.

It would certainly be more difficult to grow than the Bordeaux varieties (even Petit Verdot), but would be very interesting to taste Bordeaux grown Syrah.

Anyone have any connections at Haut Brion? I’m sure they have some in their “experimental” plot(s). What an interesting tasting that would be! [wow.gif]

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2

I’ve had this wine - I outlined my notes here: Chateau Palmer dinner notes - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers

It is a VERY interesting and delicious wine. I’m sure Steve’s had a few bottles, pre-release, as well.

3

I had the '04 a couple of times. I didn’t notice anything about it to give away the Hermitaged treatment the first time around, but side-by-side with the regular '04 it was easier to spot a difference. Not a major difference though. Still, I think it’s very cool that they’re doing something like this to show off an important piece of history and I’m really looking forward to trying my '04s when they’re mature.

4

Shiraz/Cabernet has been Australian wines great blend.

5

I tasted Palmer’s 2004 Historique about 3 years ago. I recall that it was big, quite modern in style, and tasted different from Palmer’s regular 2004. I kind of liked it then, but not enough for me to go and seek it out.

6

My problem with Syrah in Cab is that I can always notice the Syrah.

7

Give this one a try, Roy. Although, you KNOW the Syrah is in there, so it’s easy to be an expert on it. At the table, with more than half a dozen experienced wine folks present, not a single one noticed the Syrah.

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I will!! [cheers.gif]

Since I know nothing about this particluar wine, is the Syrah from the estate? I assume so. Would be very curious to have a estate bottling of a 100% version.

9

If you saw my post above, linking my notes on the wine (tasted blind) - Chateau Palmer dinner notes - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers - you’d note that it was Northern Rhone Syrah, so unless Chateau Palmer is in the Northern Rhone…I’m gonna say it’s not estate fruit

10

Did not see it, as it looks imbedded in the Alter Ego note. Interesting.

11

Yeah, & as Todd also points out. Since the French Appellation system won’t allow Syrah to be planted in Bordeaux, we’'ll never know.

Ch. Haut Brion probably grows some in an “experimental” plot.

Saw a list of varietals (with Tempranillo, & Viognier, as well as new Bordeaux variety/clone/rootstock combos) in this experimental plot while we were sitting in the technical office waiting for a tour/tasting in '97.
Obviously this info wasn’t being shared with outsiders like me, & I didn’t get any of my questions answered.

. . . but that would be an interesting glass of Syrah to ponder over. [basic-smile.gif]

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